Indicator seal and sterilizer container

Abstract

A sterilizer container includes a seal member so positioned on the container that movement of the outer cover of the container to a contaminating position requires fracturing the seal, thereby destroying the utility of the seal member and thus providing a visual indication that the articles within the container are contaminated. Further, the seal member includes a sterilization indicator which provides a further indication that the articles contained within the container are sterile.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disposable seal comprising a body portion and a resilient fracturable portion having two ends, said fracturable portion being connected to said body portion at one end and being free at the remaining end, said body portion defining a socket for receiving said remaining end, said socket and said remaining end being so configured that said remaining end can be inserted into and locked within said socket to lock said seal, unlocking said seal requiring the fracturing of said fracturable portion thereby destroying the utility of said seal as a seal, said body portion comprising an indicator portion that includes a sterilization indicator. 
     
     
       2. A container for holding articles while they are being subjected to a sterilization process, for storing the articles subsequent to the completion of the sterilization process, and for maintaining the degree of sterilization of the articles achieved during the course of the sterilization process, comprising: a receptacle for receiving and supporting articles while they are being sterilized and stored;   a closure means associated with said receptacle which is capable of assuming an opened position in which access can be had to said receptacle to permit said receptacle to receive articles and to permit removal of articles from said receptacle, and a closed position in which said access cannot be had;   said closure means comprising means for permitting the flow of sterilant into said receptacle while preventing the entry of microbial life into said receptacle when said closure means is in its closed position;   a disposable sealing member for sealing said closure means in its said closed position, said sealing member comprising a fracturable portion, said sealing member being capable of being unsealed after it is sealed only by destroying the utility of said sealing member as a seal wherein fracturing said fracturable portion causing the utility of said sealing member as a seal to be destroyed, said sealing member being so secured to said container that movement of said closure means from its said closed position to an opened contaminating position, in which microbial life can enter said receptacle, requires fracturing said sealing member thus causing said sealing member to lose its utility as a seal; and   said sealing member further comprising an indicator portion that includes a sterilization indicator.   
     
     
       3. The container recited in claim 1 wherein said sealing member is constructed of plastic.